Summary : Join Africa Specialist Nadia Eckhardt on this Namibia Fly-In Safari. Fly from Cape Town, South Africa to Windhoek, Namibia, for an overnight in the city before flying south in a bush plane next morning. Witness the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei, as well as the amazing red sand dunes, which rank among the tallest on earth. Explore with qualified naturalists into Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei before flying on a scenic flight path partially along the Skeleton Coast to the German colonial town of Swakopmund. Conclude this incredible safari in Eastern Etosha and the stunning Onguma Plains Lodge. Etosha is a unique game viewing experience packed with a variety of African wildlife including elephants, lions and much more!

Begin the journey with the Southern Africa Our Way (Zambia, Botswana & South Africa) Safari led by Africa Specialist Nadia Eckhardt.

Activities : Birding, Hiking

PRICING

Fly on scheduled flight from Cape Town to Windhoek for an early evening arrival. Transfer to the guesthouse centrally-located in the Namibian Capital, Windhoek. Dinner is at the guesthouse tonight, followed by an overnight. Overnight at Olive Exclusive Guest House

After breakfast, transfer to the local Eros Airport in Windhoek for a mid-morning hour-long bush flight to Sossusvlei with spectacular scenery! Sossusvlei is a clay pan set amidst towering star-shaped dunes that stand up to 300 meters above the Tsauchab River Valley and rank among the tallest dunes on earth. Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. Another, famous for its gnarled and ghostly camelthorn trees, is Deadvlei, which can be reached on foot. Deadvlei's striking camelthorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect as they once grew. They survived until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked the river from occasionally flooding the pan.

Upon arrival, drive through the unique landscape en route to your first lodge located within the arid Namib Desert on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. The lodge is the closest to the park entrance and the amazing dunes of Sossusvlei. Enjoy an afternoon activity in the Reserve with a Kulala naturalist guide. Overnight at Kulala Desert Lodge

Depart in a 4x4 vehicle long before sunrise and make use of the private Kulala entrance into Sossusvlei National Park. Spend time walking, photographing and exploring the stunning huge red dunes with breathtaking and constantly changing colors. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the lodge in the mid-afternoon. Later on, embark on a sunset nature drive, quad-bike excursion or guided nature walk with a naturalist guide. Cocktail hour and dinner will be back at the lodge.

At an additional cost, you may opt for an early morning balloon safari, beginning at first light and offering a truly unique experience: soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site. Overnight at Kulala Desert Lodge

After breakfast, depart Sossusvlei and board a flight over the southern part of the mysterious Skeleton Coast to the German colonial town of Swakopmund. Participate in an afternoon guided walking tour around this coastal city or browse on your own before joining Nadia and the group for a seafood dinner at the local seaside Tug Restaurant. Overnight at Hansa Hotel

Transfer in the morning to the Swakopmund Airport and fly north to the Onguma Game Reserve, on the eastern edge of Etosha National Park. In the local Herero language, Onguma means, "the place you don't want to leave." Check into 'The Fort' (Onguma Plains Lodge), with massive raw walls, stone clad features and a huge tower with views toward Etosha and Fischer's Pan. The lodge is said to offer the best sunset views in the whole of Namibia! There is ample time this afternoon for a game drive to explore the private reserve, or venture into Etosha National Park. The game viewing is superior, with plenty of plains game and desert specialties like the springbok and striking gemsbok, as well as lions lazing under the hot sun!Overnight at Onguma Plains Lodge

Another full day on Safari from Onguma and in the Etosha region. Head out in 4x4's on early morning and late afternoon game drives in search of wildlife on the vast open plains, keeping a look out for wildlife, including cheetah (Nadia''s favorite Cat!) and a whole lot more!

Onguma Reserve offers an opportunity for some excellent game viewing with about 30 species of plains' game in this area, including elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and cheetah, and more than 300 recorded bird species. Return to 'The Fort' for dinner and last overnight in Africa before departing the next day. Overnight at Onguma Plains Lodge

Included:Services of a full-time Tour Leader throughout the trip; accommodation as per the itinerary; internal light aircraft flights as mentioned in the itinerary; air transfers: for 2-3 guests will be in one C210 airplane, 4 guests in one C310 airplane, with limited luggage space, 5-7 guests in 2 C210 airplanes, and 8-9 guests in 1 C208 airplane (Caravan); meals as specified in the itinerary; local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at meal times at Kulula and Onguma Lodges only; inclusive safari and game viewing activities at safari lodges/camps; a resident Naturalist/Ranger at each lodge while on Safari; laundry at Kulala Lodge; all park entry fees and other necessary permits; sightseeing tours and activities and airport/airstrip transfers as mentioned in the itinerary.

Not Included:International airfare into and out of Windhoek; airfare from Cape Town to Windhoek and Windhoek to Johannesburg; gratuities for porters/guides/drivers/hotel and safari lodge staff, park rangers/guides; travel, medical, and personal insurance; transfers outside of main group arrangements; laundry in Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Onguma Lodge; alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in Windhoek and Swakopmund; airport and departure taxes; all items of a personal nature (i.e. communication charges; passport and/or visa fees; excess baggage fees; inoculation and medical fees, arts and crafts; extra tours and activities not mentioned above; balloon Safari option in Sossusvlei.

Above rates are per person and are valid for the Oct 17, 2012 departure.

Rates are subject to change and are based on dates of travel and fluctuations in exchange rates.

2013 Rates: Rates for the Green Season departure on Mar 14, 2013 are to be confirmed. Please contact ExpeditionTrips for more details.Optional Balloon Safari: Approx. $550 per person (weather conditions permitting)

Approximate Internal Airfare: $395 per person (Cape Town to Windhoek); $315 per person (Windhoek to Johannesburg)

Peak Season Departure: 10/17/2012 Green Season Departure: 3/14/2013

2013 Rates: Rates for the Green Season departure on Mar 14, 2013 are to be confirmed. Please contact ExpeditionTrips for more details.

Payment Policy

All reservations will be secured for you upon receipt of a completed and signed RESERVATION FORM, together with a 20% deposit per person, of the total cost of the tour. Once we receive the signed RESERVATION FORM and your deposit, an invoice for the total cost of the tour reflecting your deposit payment will be mailed to you. Credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Amex & Discover) are accepted for the 20% deposit only. The balance of the cost of the tour should be paid by check or wire, not less than 90 days prior to departure. All our prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and must be paid in U.S. dollars.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing. If cancellation is received 90 days prior to departure all payments will be fully refunded except a $500 deposit. Cancellations received 89 - 0 days prior to departure incur a 100% penalty.